The Big Question

Introduction

The Big “C”

There is nothing more frightening than to hear the doctor say, “You have cancer.” What you had planned for the future has suddenly changed because of the unknown and this diagnosis. After the initial shock, you are filled with questions. What is the treatment? What are the side effects from the treatment? Is surgery necessary? How quickly do I need to make a decision? What is the survival rate? Where can I find more information?

What is cancer?

It is a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. It affects 1 in 3 people in the United States. Chances are that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer.

Speakers

American Cancer Society

Invite someone from the American Cancer Society to come and speak to the group. Ask them to share about the most common types of cancer. What is the survival rate and treatments being used. Is there some way that the group can help share information about cancer and the positive treatments.

Oncologist

Check with your advisory board to see if they have a contact in the medical community that can speak about cancer, possibly an Oncologist or nurse who works with cancer patients

Personal Experience

Cancer Survivor

There are probably women within your group that have faced cancer. Ask them to share their story with the group. Where are they now in their cancer journey? What do they want people to know? What was most helpful to them. Is there someway that the group can support or help them.

Caregiver

Some of the women may have been the main caregiver for a loved one with cancer. Ask them to share what was the most helpful, or what they wished people had known that would have been appreciated. For those less articulate, this could be done in the form of a moderator asking leading questions.

Service Ideas

Invite other groups/home leagues/church groups to participate in this program. Set up tables with resource information on where to get further help in all aspects of cancer.

Knitting for Cancer Patients

Inquire as to if there are groups in your area who knit items to be given to cancer patients. Your local American Cancer Association, or a senior center might be a good place to check for information.

Do You Want to Be Healed?

Read John 5:1-11

In John 5, we read the story of the paralytic man who for 38 years had day after day laid by the pool of Bethesda, in Jerusalem. The pool was inside the city near the Sheep Gate. Crowds of individuals lay there day after day on covered porches as the waters of the pool had healing properties. When Jesus saw the man, He asked him a question. “Would you like to get well?” I’m sure those who heard what Jesus said would have thought that this was a strange question. Why would he have been lying there for so many years if he didn’t want to be healed. And, of course, Jesus knew the man’s answer.

Instead of answering Jesus’ question, the man gives an excuse. “Sir, I have no one to help me and someone else gets into the water before I can.” Did the man have any idea who Jesus was? Had he heard of the miracles Jesus had performed and how He had healed so many people? If so, maybe he would have answered Jesus in another way. Maybe he would have said, “Sir, I know who You are and that You have the power to heal me.”

Sometimes when speaking with our children, we will ask them a question to which we already know the answer. “Would you like a cookie?” Of course, we already know their answer, but we want them to articulate their need. Jesus sometime does the same with us. He wants us to come to Him with our problems and concerns. He knows when we are suffering and wants us to come so that He can comfort and heal us. In John 16:33 Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Where do you need healing? This might be physical, which may come through medical help, or you might need emotional or spiritual healing. Jesus cares and know what you’re facing. Is He asking you that same question? Do you want to be healed? Are you facing trials and sorrows on your own because you haven’t taken them to the Lord?

At the conclusion of the program play one of the following songs, which are available on YouTube:

“Share My Yoke” – ISS – search on “share my yoke salvation army.”

“I’m in His Hands” – search on “Phil Laeger – In His Hands”

“Bow the Knee” – search on “bow the knee salvation army”